- People in the know would nod in agreement that lots of heat were generated leading up to the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The opposition erupted in rage, criticizing the ruling dispensation for forgoing the Dalit President to perform the honors, as soon as the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new seat of people’s authority. This phenomenon of fighting the prevailing regime for the sake of opposing everything on earth has been honed by Congress. Also, by vehemently asking that the President be invited for the inauguration rather than the PM, the Congress was able to win over non-BJP regional political parties and others.
PC: Economic Times
- What should have been a proud moment for the entire nation when the newly constructed temple of democracy was being inaugurated turned into an act of parochial considerations taking over common sense and sense of participation. Sadly, a grand ceremony and sharp political rhetoric greeted the new Parliament. If the splendor and hi-tech amenities reflected new ambitions, the war of tweets and statements pointed to a bitter political divide that can act as a drag on that ambition. Thus, even as our MPs get ready to work from a swanky new office, they and their party leaders must ask what use India’s new Parliament building is if it cannot house thoughtful, civil debates, and pass well-scrutinized laws that make things better for citizens. None at all.
- Needless to mention, it would be tragic were the ways of the old Parliament carried over to the new one as well. Over the last few years, the nation has witnessed relentless din of hoots, heckles, and raised fists, chairs, and mikes are what makes frontline news. Disturbingly, debates that belong to Parliament play out on social media, and speeches suitable for election rallies are made in the House. Note that the 15th Lok Sabha set a record as the least productive in terms of hours it met. BJP, then in opposition, believed obstruction of Parliament was a democratic form of protest. Things have only gone downhill since then. The 17th Lok Sabha is often criticized for hasty law-making without enough debate, due diligence, or discussion. It has merits as well.
PC: Anwesha Madhukalya
- Remember, if Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are Parliament’s heart and mind, parliamentary committees are its nerve center, deliberating year-round, and scrutinizing bills. Yet too often, bills are not sent to committees. Barely 13% of bills were sent to committees till the monsoon session of 2022 in this Lok Sabha. This number was 27% in the 16th Lok Sabha. The 15th Lok Sabha sent 71% of its bills to committees. The new Parliament must resuscitate the tradition of parliamentary committees being prime players in law-making. The onus lies on the parties to make the new Parliament new in a meaningful way. Also, the BJP must show it knows how to truly honor the splendid new addition to India’s governance architecture by taking every party along.
